I have also spent a day around Daylesford and found some very attractive stones, plus a sample of gold. There were lots of very very small stones, all the of stones so small they are only good for looking at in a bottle with some water to enhance there colour. Just like GOlddig's collection.

I also found plenty of smokey coloured "quartz looking" stone but different, it almost looks a little waxy, the odd bit has a brownish red tint. Would this be some type of Tourmaline or is just quartz. Sorry no photo but I will get there.

This is my first time to ask the question. It is most important for all of us. Does any of us is able to make the list of creeks and rivers in VIC on which we are allowed fossicking for gold and gemstones instead of the list which we are not allowed? It is so much confusions and questions (Where to go? Is the area permitted for prospecting or not? From where to where I can fossick? Etc...) The simple list: Creek whatever name - from Halls Gap to Port Phillip Bay. That should be example. Maybe we should come up all together with some information and make the list, to make our research more simple. If come to the change for some of the places, just make an update and we are ready to go. Keep the list on this forum for members to check at any time. By the way prospecting and panning for 5 years in VIC

PS: Sorry for spelling mistakes. English is my second or third language . Really love this forum, so many honest, useful and good information. Thanks for everything and wish that all of you strike luck for your good effort to make our hobby and 'work' ezy

Au fever..hi I wouldn't mind some locations please as my son loves finding rocks even if it's just the shapes he likes and is there any chance you would know of a gem club around Ballarat Creswick area too that he could get into..thanks heaps

They have a well equipped workshop and they used to have regular field trips to various locations in the area. It's worth giving them a ring to find out meeting times and workshop times. You & your Kids will be able to enjoy their facilities by becoming a member.

G'day diggers ! Macca from Melton here just joined up,needing a new interest to get out of the house. Ide like to go fossicking with old hands, I have a few tools and Awd car, also a Crystal collection that needs Rubys and Saphires and a bit of Gold . I'm retired and Bored.

G'day diggers ! Macca from Melton here just joined up,needing a new interest to get out of the house. Ide like to go fossicking with old hands, I have a few tools and Awd car, also a Crystal collection that needs Rubys and Saphires and a bit of Gold . I'm retired and Bored.

If you can get your hands on a UV light(ebay has some cheapies). Rubies will show up bright red when illuminated by it. Some zircons and diamonds will show up yellow. I dont have a lot of time but, seeing you're from Ballarat(about 30mins from where I live) I could give you a lesson on sieving if you like? That goes for anyone else about this neck of the woods .

A Mate & I would be keen on a few tips if we could arrange something..Where not local but do travel a lot.

Kitangel - lots of good areas closer than Geelong - around Blackwood, Trentham, Maldon, Campbelltown, Leigh River near Grenville - just check legal first though, Sapphires, zircon in those places (mostly with gold) - good zircon near Camperdown (no gold)

Last edited by goldierocks (03 December 2016 02:10 pm)

Robert Benchley...I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it.

Take care buying UV lights - all are dangerous (you know about melanoma) but some are very dangerous (type C, far UV, short wavelength), very carcinogenic, burn skin and can blind you without gloves and special goggles (which is why welders wear a mask, it is not just the brightness). A reasonable wattage is also best and a filtered design if you want good strong results (not 4W unfiltered). Danger depends on wavelength (as does the fluorescence colour, intensity and whether it occurs at all) - rubies fluoresce best at long wavelength but give some fluorescence at short wavelength (it is the Cr, which is what gives the red colour)

Stores like Prospectors Supplies in NSW sell lamps of either or both wavelength and light, glasses-size protective goggles. I would always use goggles for any wavelength and definitely skin protection for short wavelength - many websites will say that long wavelength is not dangerous but that is no longer considered correct - it is just LESS dangerous (the reason tanning salons were recently banned in Victoria).

Robert Benchley...I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it.

A good one is the Quarry in Mortlake, Mount Shadwell. Lots of work/luck to get something nice, but you'll always find something!

Apparently Mount Shadwell is by 'Escort only' now... This was mentioned on another Forum last week... You Book at the Tourist/Info Centre 1 or 2 days Before you turn up and if someone is available, you get to go The Guide will stay with you while you Fossick for the day....

A good one is the Quarry in Mortlake, Mount Shadwell. Lots of work/luck to get something nice, but you'll always find something!

Apparently Mount Shadwell is by 'Escort only' now... This was mentioned on another Forum last week... You Book at the Tourist/Info Centre 1 or 2 days Before you turn up and if someone is available, you get to go The Guide will stay with you while you Fossick for the day....

Another Area under Threat...Anybody know Why?

LoneWolf....

the guide gives up his or hers time for others to stay sometimes the whole day while him or her having already been there many times gets paid nothing for there time I think a donation and a simple thanks go's a long way. its idiots that go into quarry's without permission that locks the rest of us out and its quite simple you only have to break a leg witch has happened at other quarries in Victoria or fall down a 20m high face to your death and think of the poor bastard working the next day finding you maimed or dead sorry for sounding blunt but people don't think of these things and a lot of quarries have locked us out for this very reason.

My understanding is that it is an operating quarry, in which case it would not seem unreasonable...

Not at all... at least it's still open....

LoneWolf....

its still open yes and its a working quarry you need to get permission before entering a working quarry witch means they are taking a big risk letting people into a quarry for obvious reasons mainly safety

Both times I've had to fill out the form, and a guide meets us there. Sometimes they are guys from the gemclub, sometimes they are just mortlake residents. Its good for the town cos it brings in visitors, and they spend money buying food/petrol in the town.

THe guide usually just sits in their car, and you go about your buisness. Though i've only been there on Saturdays, I think you can go during the week too.

I'd say its the best place in Vic for fossicking, because your always going to find something. I've got some very nice looking volcanic bombs from there.

Good thing too is that they don't care how much you take with you. So you can take home a box of rocks and break them up at home if you want.